Dixie Academy

Higher education reached Utah's isolated southwest corner by subscription. When the church pledged $20,000 toward an academy in St. George — on condition that local citizens raise $35,000 more in cash, materials, and labor — families emptied savings accounts to match it. The school that opened in 1911, pink sandstone on a black volcanic-stone foundation, grew into both Dixie High School and the college that is now Utah Tech University. The building outlived them all on Town Square: today its lower floors hold the St. George Children's Museum, with a restored ballroom above.

What the plaque says

Across the street west, and 2 blocks south of here, stands the building originally known as the St. George Academy. After the turn of the century Southern Utah citizens realized a great need for higher education in this isolated corner of the state. The LDS Church determined to establish an academy in St. George. Leaders at church headquarters in Salt Lake City agreed to contribute $20,000 in cash if people of the St. George Stake would pay the remaining $35,000 in money, materials and labor. In keeping with long established tradition, the response of the citizens was enthusiastic, and people emptied their precious savings accounts and offered material and services. The foundation of the structure was made of black volcanic stone. Because it was felt that the academy should be built of something that would add variety to the look of the public square, it was decided to use the delicate pink chinle sandstone from a quarry east of Washington, rather than the darker sandstone used for the Tabernacle and Woodward School. The heavy slabs were brought to St. George over rutted roads on the running gears of wagons. The rocks were cut into shape by the master stone masons who worked on the Tabernacle. The stone work, especially the entry arch and entablature above it, is the finest found anywhere. Citizens watched with deep satisfaction as their house of learning rose to completion and opened for classes in September of 1911. People persisted in calling the new school the Dixie Academy. It became the forerunner of both Dixie High School and Dixie College, and continues today as a key community center.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm — 2.6 mi
  Real dinosaur footprints preserved in ancient sandstone
• Snow Canyon State Park — 7.0 mi
  Red and white sandstone cliffs with ancient lava flows
• Hurricane Canal Trail — 17 mi
  The hand-dug canal that built Hurricane, now a walking trail blasted into the Virgin River gorge
• Kolob Canyons — 32 mi
  The quiet, uncrowded back door to Zion National Park

More markers nearby

• Pioneer Courthouse — steps away
• Brigham Young Home — steps away
• Erastus Snow's Big House — steps away
• St. George Social Hall "Opera House" — steps away